Texfisherman

Thanks for all the replies, gents. If I catch a biggin', I'll be sure to post it in the main forums of Bass Resource!

We are heading to Lake Falcon, Tx. for a few days of fishing soon. Last weekend they had the Bass Champs Tournament there and a guy pulled out a 15 pound largemouth. This is, in my opinion, the best chance I will ever have of catching a double-digit bass. Anyone have any tips?

The 8 pound bass I'm holding in my picture to the left is from Raven. We have caught multiple 8-pounders out of Raven. It is relatively close to Lake Conroe and I highly suggest going there as much as possible! On Lake Conroe, go to the stumps in Peach Creek. Also go to Walden Marina, Stow-A-Way Marina and Palms Marina. You can almost always find bass in the marinas, along the walls. The vast majority of bass you will catch will be dinks (1-3 pounds). I promise you though, Lake Raven, in Hunstville State Park, is a treasure trove. Small lake with tons of 6,7 and 8 pound bass!

My dad started taking me fishing when I was no more than 4 or 5. Live bait and my Zebco 202. Such a small thing really affected the entire future of my life.

I'm starving now that I've read all of this. Jerky for sure, chips, store bought sandwiches, energy drinks, Gatorade and water.

Here's a conversation we've had a few times now: I hook into a bass (so I think) and the fight begins... Me: "Oh my gosh, this bass is huge!!" Buddy: "It's not coming up..." Me: "Don't say that! Don't jinx me!" Buddy: "It's not coming up..." Me: "I'm telling you, this is a bass! This is the best fight I've ever had!!" Buddy: "It's not coming up..." Me: "Nooooo!! It's a catfish!" Buddy: "Yep... it's a catfish."

It would hold me over. They are also starting to make trolling motor mounts for everything these days. I know Bass Pro Shops sells trolling motor mounts for canoes now. May look into seeing if they make 'em for kayaks. Get one of those and a small trolling motor and you wont miss that boat much, I wouldn't think.

We agree to a weekend all-night fishing trip usually mid-week. Wed, Thurs and Friday, we talk on the phone several times about what we're going to be using, where to cast and where we're going to start. Come Friday, I check weekend weather conditions and high temps. Then I check out Farmer's Almanac for the moon phase and moon rise/set time. We stock up on drinks and food, too. Friday afternoon is tackle time. I'll spend a good 3 hours meticulously going through my tackle box and making sure what I need is in there, taking old stuff out and putting new stuff in. Then I will put brand new line on every rod and reel I plan on taking. After that, we get a couple bags of ice, our traditional good luck breakfast (yes, breakfast in the evening ) and head out.

Steak and Egg Burrito from Jack in the Box. If we skip that, we don't catch fish.

Yes and yes. I fish all-nighters on a fairly regular basis. 9 of the 10 largest bass I ever caught were all caught at night, and the majority of them on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Dark colors all the way. My friend and I recently went night fishing and caught 43 largemouth (the best we've ever done). Caught 'em on the green pumpkin Chatterbait (with a white trailer... strange indeed).

My dad did. He started taking me fishing as soon as I learned how to walk, lol. My first rod/reel was a Zebco 202.

I know you said the place closes at night, but I would try and find another lake in the area where you're allowed to go night fishing. Go on a night where the moon is out and at least half full. Throw out a 1/2 oz spinnerbait with a silver or black Colorado blade on it. If that doesn't work, throw a Chatterbait. If that doesn't work, throw soft plastics, like a wacky rig or shakey head. Stick with dark colors on all of them. If you really like the lake that you normally go to, then switch to soft plastics and slow your presentation waaaaaaaay down. Just to let you know, I had the best night of fishing in my entire life a few weeks ago. We went when the moon was full, and it had been cloudy all that day. We started at sunset... 2 guys, 14 hours, 43 largemouth bass. ALL of them were caught on a dark chatterbait with... believe it or not... a white chatterbait trailer.

Fish long enough and dumb things will happen. I once got a lure snagged in a tree limb, so I wrapped the line several times around my hand and closed my fist to where it looked like I was giving a thumbs-up. I pulled with all my might and the lure flew out of the tree... and right into the top of my thumb!!! The hook was completely buried, all the way to the bend!! So what's the very first thing I did??? Yep, grabbed a camera and took a picture of my thumb! The mind is a curious thing...

Congrats on your PB!!!

What a gorgeous bass! I bet the fight was insane!